Today, it was announced that State Representative Joe Taborsak has been appointment to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Judiciary. The 2nd year representative of the 109th district issued the following press release regarding his appointment.Today, State Representative Joe Taborsak (D-109) announced his appointment to the Connecticut General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Judiciary. With broad jurisdiction on all matters relating to the Judicial Department, the Department of Correction and to the commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the committee is expected to be very active throughout the remainder of the current legislative session.Taborsak knew that following in the footsteps of former State Rep. Lew Wallace would be no small task but he's achieved a great deal in his short time in Hartford that would make Wallace proud.
“I’m absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to serve on this important committee,” remarked Representative Taborsak. “With so many issues before the committee that will impact our community directly, I look forward to weighing in on the debate. I am particularly interested in making sure that criminal justice reforms currently being proposed are firm but also effective.”
Among the proposals the Judiciary Committee will be addressing over the coming months will be possible changes to laws regarding Connecticut’s parole system.
“Bar none our first responsibility is to protect Connecticut families from violent offenders. But we would be foolish if we also did not recognize our need for increased re-entry services, such as half-way housing, substance abuse counseling and job placement help. Study after study shows that these post-release services are critical to reducing recidivism rates and therefore reducing crime” said Taborsak.
In his first year in office, Taborsak made open government and fighting for the rights of residents versus developers his top priority. His crowning achievement in his first year in office resulted by Taborsak listening to his residents who were upset with the Terrywile land swap deal of late 2006. From the outpouring of complaints, Taborsak drafted House Bill 5729, which requires municipal governments to give public notification of any sale, lease or transfer of property. To the delight of residents who lived by Terrywile Park, this long-overdue bill was approved by the State House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Rell.
Not to be outdone, this year Taborsak, along with Minority Leader Tom Saadi, have been extremely active in terms of standing on the side of residents who are are in opposition to the creation of a transfer station at Plumtrees Road, which is currently in the hands of the Planning Commission. He's also doing what former State Rep Lew Wallace did best...staying in touch with his constituents.
This appointment to the Joint Committee of Judiciary is another feather in Taborsak's young political hat and is well deserved.
UPDATE: In case you missed it, from Feb 13th episode of Community Forum, here's an interview with Rep. Taborsak.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
